The Fear

"Mr. Zhou, none of the hospitals have anyone with Madam's description." One of the men on his detail informed him.

"I found something on a camera across the street! But the man's face isn't clear." Andrew said, looking up from his laptop where he had been hacking surveillance cameras near the event center.

Gordon rushed to his side to view the footage. He clenched his fists. It was Charlotte. His precious wife was unconscious and in the arms of another man. The man seemed familiar but without a clear view of his face, he had no idea.

"See if you can track them through other cameras." Gordon's voice was low.

Similar to when Charlotte fled China, Gordon had gathered the men he trusted most. His father spoke up.

"Do you and Charlotte have any enemies? Anyone who would want to hurt you?" Robert asked.

Gordon grabbed at his hair in frustration. He couldn't think clearly.

"I don't know! I just can't figure it out! I need her. I can't...I can't lose her. And our baby! Oh God!" Gordon, a man always in charge and capable, felt panic clawing at his heart. Even when Charlotte ran away, he felt assured she was safe. This time he knew she wasn't.

"Could it be unrelated to you and be because of the baby?" Grace asked quietly. She had come with David, who had been called by Edward.

"You mean, human trafficking?" Asked Michael. Grace nodded.

"I'm going to be sick!" Gordon muttered, and ran from the room.

"I'm going to speak to the leader of The Black Hand. I'll have my men go rough up some rival gangs as well." Calvin promised as he stood to leave.

"Any contacts on the black market or in the city's underworld should be investigated also. Old Jia won't be involved. He's an ally to our family. His men can help with leg work, however." Robert spoke up.

"The police have been informed as well." Mark Rong said.

"What else can we do?" Anna whispered as she wiped tears from her eyes. She was worried about her daughter-in-law and grandson.

"Someone needs to monitor their phones in case there's a ransom deal to come." Michael answered. Rachel leaned into his arms, crying softly.

"That would be a good scenario. It means there's a chance to recover her." Daniel spoke up.

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Charlotte had been struggling to remove the ropes binding her wrists for hours. The course rope had long since rubbed burns against her tender skin.

A door creaked open on rusty hinges and the evening sun's fading light filled the room. A middle aged man carrying a tray entered and approached her.

"Who are you?! Let me go! My husband will pay whatever you ask. There's no need to do this!" Charlotte immediately shouted in anger.

"Calm down, my Dear. No need for such excitement. I'm here to bring you your dinner. He sat the tray beside her on the mattress.

"Well, I'd eat, but it appears you've tied me up!" Charlotte yelled.

The man leaned in close, much to close. She could smell cheap cigarettes on his person.

"You smell disgusting!" Charlotte growled.

"You'll just have to endure since I'm going to have to feed you." He laughed in her face.

Without pausing to think, Charlotte spat directly in his face.

He jerked away in angry shock, and then slapped her so hard she felt her ears ringing.

"Stupid woman! You had better recognize who's in charge here!" He roared.

"My husband will kill you and feed your carcass to the dogs!" Charlotte's voice was low, dangerously low. She knew if Gordon found her harmed that this man's life would be over.

"Not this time. This time your husband is going to live out all the pain he's caused me and my family!" The man said, laughing.

"What are you talking about? Who are you? My husband has never punished someone without cause." Charlotte said.